Seismic Data Depth and Velocity Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current seismic data acquisition techniques face challenges in accurately determining the depth of seismic data acquisition units and water column transit velocity, especially in dynamic water conditions, which affects the creation of accurate seismic maps and can result in errors due to uneven seabeds and changing water conditions.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that process seismic data to determine the depth and water column transit velocity of seismic data acquisition units by calculating direct arrival times, estimating initial values, and iteratively updating them using depth and water column transit velocity models to minimize travel time errors, without assuming zero mean errors on the starting model.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional seismic data acquisition techniques are used, then data collection can be performed, but accurate determination of depth and water column transit velocity is compromised due to uneven seabeds and dynamic water conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurements of water column transit velocity at multiple time points before the actual seismic data acquisition. These preliminary velocity measurements are then used to create a velocity model that accounts for dynamic water conditions, allowing the system to compensate for changes in water column properties during the survey.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements an iterative process where initial depth estimates and velocity models are used to calculate travel times, which are then compared with observed travel times. The differences (residuals) are used to update and refine the velocity model and depth estimates in subsequent iterations, progressively improving accuracy.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional techniques assume zero mean errors on starting models, then calculations are simplified, but accuracy deteriorates when initial models are inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurements of water column transit velocity at multiple time points before the actual seismic data acquisition. These preliminary velocity measurements are then used to create a velocity model that accounts for dynamic water conditions, allowing the system to compensate for changes in water column properties during the survey.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements an iterative process where initial depth estimates and velocity models are used to calculate travel times, which are then compared with observed travel times. The differences (residuals) are used to update and refine the velocity model and depth estimates in subsequent iterations, progressively improving accuracy.
3Measurement precision
If iterative updating of depth and velocity values is performed, then measurement precision improves, but computational complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary measurements of water column transit velocity at multiple time points before the actual seismic data acquisition. These preliminary velocity measurements are then used to create a velocity model that accounts for dynamic water conditions, allowing the system to compensate for changes in water column properties during the survey.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements an iterative process where initial depth estimates and velocity models are used to calculate travel times, which are then compared with observed travel times. The differences (residuals) are used to update and refine the velocity model and depth estimates in subsequent iterations, progressively improving accuracy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for precise determination of seismic data acquisition unit depth and water column transit velocity, improving the accuracy of seismic maps by accounting for timing errors and dynamic seabed conditions, leading to better subsurface feature identification and resource detection.
Implementation Method 1
an acoustic signal propagated from an acoustic source through a water column
Data Source
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AI summary
Systems and methods of detecting marine seismic survey parameters are provided. A data processing system can obtain seismic data from seismic data acquisition units disposed on a seabed responsive to an acoustic signal propagated from an acoustic source through a water column. The data processing system can determine from the seismic data, a direct arrival time for the acoustic signal at each of the plurality of seismic data acquisition units, and can obtain an estimated depth value of each of the plurality of seismic data acquisition units and an estimated water column transit velocity of the acoustic signal. The data processing system can apply a depth model and a water column transit velocity model to the estimated depth value and to the estimated water column transit velocity determine an updated depth value and an updated water column transit velocity for each of the plurality of seismic data acquisition units.